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Weekend in Roma

I sometimes miss travelling. Though in a way feels like we never stopped. As we make our way trough Gatwick Friday afternoon and into Roma Fiumicino, I realize I do not even know where we are going. I am so used to being familiar with the places that we go to that I assume we will just as easily know in Rome. 
It was painful for me to leave the kids behind, especially as I had a rough week at work and barely spent time with them. But I also knew it to be good for our mental and couple sanity to enjoy this weekend, so rather than leaving on the first late morning flight on Sunday as we usually do, we decided to spend the day in Rome. 
Rome was more beautiful than I remember it. The sun and its warmth greeted us and facilitated us going around kilometres bumping into Roman empire columns or 'new' renascentista buildings. The Coliseum remains its impressive self, the Pantheons impressive construction is even more of a mistery, and I clearly acknowledge that I did not remember how big and bright the Fontana de Trevi was. Renovation works probably helped. 
Through the 2 days, there was only one downside, sign of the times. Pedestrian areas now have a mix of newly planted concrete vases or army vehicles creating a slalom for anyone attempting to drive by. Army personnel are out with machine guns through Rome. Where did we get to so that pedestrian areas are no longer safe to walk, the Colosseum is no longer safe to visit, can't imagine the Vatican. 
So we finished our trip with the Vatican. it was intentional but the duration was greatly extended. As we walked in the beauty and grandesse of such building is always renewed. The sun setting on the Vatican gave it an even more mystic light. As we thought of leaving we (or maybe I) chose to attend the Mass starting. In my life, I never thought of that of something special, but that moment I knew I was being called to do it, even though we has already endured a full mass in Italian less than 24 hours ago. We were glad to do it, even if it forced us to sprint through the Via de la Conziliazione as we went back to the hotel for our bags. Sometimes you need a symbolic reinforcement of strength with outside beliefs and forces. That made the weekend in Rome even more special. 
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